Are you ready to return to work? Get organised now!

With the impending relaxing of the government guidelines, most of us will be heading back into our workplace slowly over the coming months. This may mean a significant change in routine for you and your family. So, rather than panic on the day before you're due at your desk - use this time to think about what you need to prepare ahead for and get organised.

You and your family's routine

If you have children, they will have been at school for some of this time, and you will have had to stick to some sort of routine.  But you may not have had to focus on getting yourself ready alongside your children. You may have also had your partner at home to help you with the morning routine, meaning you had more time to drink that cup of coffee or pack that lunch. If all of you are now heading out the door at separate times you need to plan ahead and get organised to ensure everything runs smoothly.

Start your preparations by discussing your routine and what will have to change going forward. A family planner that everyone can see is great for this. Do you need to book before or after school childcare again?  Are your jobs allowing you to work flexibly, so could you and your partner alternate days in and out of the office? Can your children become more independent and get themselves washed and dressed, so you can still factor in that coffee before you need to hurtle out of the door?

Don't forget any pets as well. That puppy, who was getting leisurely lunchtime walks, will no longer have a buddy at home with them. So think about whether they will need a dog walker or doggy daycare to keep them happy too.

Forewarned is forearmed, so planning and organising your routine as a family is less likely to lead to forgotten swimming lessons, packed lunches or pickups.

Your wardrobe

We've all been used to dressing for work from the chest upwards, but when was the last time you tried on your work trousers or skirts? Getting this over and done with now will avoid tears the morning of back-to-work-day when you could be left with nothing to wear or feeling uncomfortable on your first day back.  

Now is the time to face up to the fact that lockdown has not been kind to many of our waists and that we may need to take a look at buying a couple of comfortable pairs of trousers in the next size up. This is not to say we won't get back into our previous clothes once life normalises a little, so rather than throwing all your previous clothes away, keep the ones you like and store them away for a few months.  You may also no longer fancy wearing heels to the office if you haven't worn them for 18 months, so keep an eye out for comfortable but trendy flats (they do exist, I promise!)

It is also worth checking your work's current uniform policy, as they may have relaxed it during this time. Another option could be to work with a stylist who can help you overhaul your existing wardrobe. You never know. You may also be able to wear other items in your closet that you had never thought of as workwear before!

Your food

Working from home has meant that we have not necessarily had to worry about food and when we were going to eat it. Heading into the office and not planning ahead may mean that your bank balance looks considerably less healthy as well as your body! 

Packing a nutritious meal the night before to take with you to work, including snacks, is the way to stay on top of your budget and your butt size. Meal planning with your family for the week ahead also means that you don't have to waste time going to Sainsbury's on the way home from work, getting into an argument with your other half as neither of you want to cook, or running out of bread on a Thursday when your kids both need sandwiches on Friday.

Online shopping avoids the stress of supermarkets and means you don't end up buying random items, saving you time and money. Booking in a slot at the same time every week also means that everyone knows when the delivery is coming and when they have to let you know if they've run out of anything by!

Your office

Most workplaces have amended their rules about flexible working or working from home. Because of this, many of you will now be dividing your time between your home and the office. This is potentially great for our work-life balance, but it also leaves opportunities for leaving items in the wrong place or forgetting much-needed things. 

Whilst you have this time, sort through your current office set-up. Do you have a good filing system for any paperwork? Does any of this paper need to now be stored at the office? Do you have items that need to be securely disposed of? Also, look at your home office with fresh eyes - do you have a good set-up at home? Now is the time to ensure that your home office is just as friendly to your back and neck as your desk in the office is. If flexible working is the long term plan for your company, are they able to help you with appropriate desks, chairs and footrests if they haven't already sorted this for you?

If you haven't already got one, a bag that holds everything is a must. Not only your laptop but your mouse, a notebook, a bottle of water (make sure it doesn't leak) and all the other items you'll need to have with you at all times. This could be the difference between a leisurely afternoon working at home to a last-minute scramble to the office because you left your charger there the night before.  If your company will allow you to set up specific docking stations at home to avoid this, then get it sorted asap.

However prepared (or not) you feel, don't forget all the good things about going back into the workplace too. 

- No interruptions from the dog or the kids. 

- Being too far away from the dishwasher to care whether it's been emptied or not. 

- Hot, frothy coffee, and maybe even a peaceful toilet break!

Let me know what you're looking forward to and what you're dreading about going back to work in the comments below. 

Share this post: